Burbank, CA (May 23, 2011) – ABC Family has acquired the Walt Disney Pictures film “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” from Disney-ABC Domestic Television, it was announced today by Tom Zappala, executive vice president, Program Acquisitions & Scheduling, ABC Cable Networks Group. The deal gives ABC Family the first-window rights to the network television premiere. The film is slated to premiere on the network in 2013.
“‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ is one of this summer’s most highly-anticipated movies,” said Zappala. “Audiences love this franchise the world over for its excitement, charm and all-out sense of good fun. We’re thrilled to add this installment, in addition to the first three ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films, to our theatrical slate.”
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise-this time in Disney Digital 3DTM. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love-or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more, Blackbeard or Angelica — with whom he shares a mysterious past. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade, Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.
Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today’s families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today’s relationships – told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas!” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.